Pet Peeves and God

Well, hey there.

It has been a week (or more) and I have thought about sitting down and writing everyday. Obviously those thoughts weren't convicting enough or Bones might be far more instantaneous and easy. Either way, I am here and I hope y'all are still here with me!

I have been considering this week to be a sort of "time-out" week now that school has ended. Since I am working full time this summer, I wanted to make sure I had a good, full week of family, friends, and relaxation.

So...a rundown:

• Family--CHECK
• Friends--CHECK
• Relaxation--CHe...

I definitely got a lot of time with my family and friends, and it was relaxing. It just wasn't typical summer, college student relaxation--sitting on the couch and doing nothing (I did get one half day of this, hence the CH). It was almost soul relaxation. I get very homesick while I am at school and every minute that I spend here, I feel myself getting stronger and more content. The longer I am at school, I tend to become antsy. I don't feel at home.

Granted, this feeling has gotten a lot better as the years have gone by. Don't get me wrong--I am comfortable and I have made a temporary home in Blacksburg. However, in my mind, in my heart, and in my relationship with James, Blacksburg is only temporary. Home is in the Hampton Roads area. Close to our families. Close to the familiar.

In short--we are homebodies.  (Luckily, this is a trait we share. :D )

Anyway, we are back to the B-burg tomorrow. I start work on Monday and James starts orientation sometime this week. We will both be busy, but we'll be able to set up a routine for our summer. It will be good, and hopefully we can figure out some way where we can visit family. With five-ish hours, it isn't exactly easy. I suggested meeting somewhere in the middle for lunch to my family, and I hope that that happens sometime!

Well let me share something that has been on my mind this week. I get frustrated over little things. They are little, regardless of how big they grow as I stew over them. In the grand scheme of things, they don't matter, but I make an elephant out of a mole hill.

I know that I do this, and I know that I am not the only one. I know that we all have our own little pet peeves that just irritate us to no end. Those little things may kill our mood. They may drive wedges in our relationships. They may make us lose sleep.

I think the scariest thing about pet peeves is the harm they can do to relationships. Any kind of relationship can be hurt: sibling, in-law, romantic/dating/marriage, friendships, etc.

While thinking of this--and it has kind of become a motto this week--two Bible verses merged together in my head.

Don't make a list and don't go to be mad.

Don't make a list.

 This part of my 'motto' of the week comes from the love passage everyone has heard of in some form or another. "Love is patient, love is kind,..." This is from 1 Corinthians 13. Look at verse 5.

"It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

It is our tendency to bring up previous issues that have been addressed, and use them against our close people. We use those instances to bolster our argument or make the other look like they did wrong, when it just might be something that they are doing of which they are fully unaware. 

Don't go to bed mad.

This comes from Ephesians 4:26-27. 

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

When we go to bed angry, we leave an issue unresolved and it tends to grow. Small annoyances become problems, which become serious relational issues. When we leave the issue to grow, we are giving the devil a foothold on our lives and our relationships. Jesus told us how to deal with conflict. Go to the one who you have an issue with. If someone is annoying you, go to them. Don't spread it around to everyone. If you're having an issue in your relationship, keep it in the relationship.

Of course there are ways we around both of these guidelines. Abuse is an obvious exception. Going and opening up with people who can help and confiding in trustworthy friends are things that we all do. That is a benefit of living in a community of believers. They are there to bring you back to what Jesus taught to help you with what's happening. 

Keeping this in mind this week has really helped me to look at issues differently. I am obviously not perfect at dealing with conflict in a way that would please Jesus. However, I can use this reminded to help with the "practice sessions" I am sure God will throw my way, and so can you! :)

Thank you for reading! Please pray for James and my safety as we head back to the Burg tomorrow and PRAISE HIM for the love and support I got today while dress shopping! :) I knew the wedding was coming before, but it is so much closer-feeling with an outfit. :)

Internationally Read

There is a feature on Blogger that allows you to see who your audience is. It doesn't include names or anything, but it includes the countries that are being reached.

Up until sometime very recently, the only country I've been reaching is the United States (which of course makes sense). Today when I checked, I have Russia and Germany on there too! :) I am being read internationally!

After I rekindled my blog after so long, I was very surprised at the number of people who viewed it. It was TREMENDOUS reinforcement. I can't tell you how happy it made me that night when I saw that I had over fifty views in one day. I was going to write another blog about it, but I couldn't find the words.

I'm thankful that I found the word "international" when I saw my dashboard today! I just wanted to thank whoever it is that is reading this. I have found that writing this has really kept my eye on God and what He would have me do. I've started listening to Spirit FM again. I stopped when I kind of lost touch last semester.

Feeling the desire to start this again and then having all of that reinforcement for doing so has truly been a humongous blessing in my life.

So thank you all for that.

Here's a small update since it has been a little while since my last post.

Thursday was SUCH a long day. At least, it felt like it. I can't really even remember what I did. I do remember, however, that I was just in a lousy mood. Nothing was going to be okay. Everything was going wrong, at least, it felt like it.

I was driving somewhere, and all of a sudden a song came on the radio that actually made me smile. (Trust me, that was a HUGE deal on Thursday). I tweeted the lyrics "Hallelujah, you carry me every day, you carry me to the cross."

After a quick search just now, I realize that those aren't exact, but they get the point across. The song is Carry me to the Cross by Kutless. In that second, I just knew that everything was going to be okay. I didn't have to be superwoman and do everything by myself. God was and is there to help me in everything that He would have me do. He is enough help--even if someone cancels on me and the job just seems ridiculous for one person, God is enough help. He will provide in some way.

This afternoon, James and I definitely experienced some of God's provision. After about a week of praying for James' summer job search to be fruitful, he received a call from Wal-Mart for the Lawn Center! He was so excited for the opportunity and was happy that it was in a section that he would actually enjoy.

Praises for a God who provides!!

Please be in prayer for his interview! It is Monday at 11:00 AM. :) We really appreciate it! Also, it would be nice if he could start after we return from a week at home, but getting the job is the main thing of course! :)

Thank you all for your encouragement (direct and indirect)--it means a ton!

Last thing--listen to the song! :) It's great encouragement on those long days!

Here's the link again!

When Dreams Burn Out

I learned something about myself tonight. If I jump into a downward spiral (whether it just be a weird funk, anger or sadness), I won't come back up for a while. Because I react so strongly to just about everything, I have to pull myself out of that funk after what I perceive to be the correct amount of time has passed for an acceptable graduation of my feelings. I think this is a pride thing. I don't think I want to have to admit that maybe I reacted too severely.

This morning, I was listening to Spirit FM as I drove to school. The morning devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries was about controlling our emotions (maybe I should have been tipped off, but then hindsight is 20/20 [yay cliche!]).

The radio introduction was very short and invited listeners to visit their website to read more. I went but couldn't actually find the exact devotion they talked about. The link was broken :(.

However, I did find a wonderful devotion about ruined plans/dreams that you first thought were God-given. I am a planner--course request, grad school, wedding (:D), future puppies, etc. I am the girl with plans. Multiple plans. Like the one week plan, one year plan, five year plan, ten year plan, etc. I realize that these things will most likely not end up the way I am planning them. I also think that I have a pretty good handle on the fact that I need to be open to those changes in plans sooner rather than later. Perhaps I should regard them instead as options. "Plan" is just too concrete. God will guide my steps--I just have to listen and take them as he calls me.

While I think I do have a good understanding of the fluidity of plans, I am still the type of person to hold onto a plan when it starts actually coming through. It's happening right? That opportunity opened up and I got it! This has to be where God wants me to be--the doors are all open!

So what happens when it turns out that it's not? When things turn out to not be like you thought they'd be. When things are not exactly living up to the expectations you had. When you stop hearing God in regards to your plan, turned dream, possibly turned reality.

It becomes unmistakably clear that maybe that wasn't the step you were supposed to take.

This author--Samantha Reed--wrote about where God is in these situations. It's easy to crawl into hole where you think God won't see you and you don't have to talk to him, when really, we should be turning toward him.

God's calling us to "Give Me the ashes; I'll do something with them. Something beautiful."

Let me decode. Ashes=your broken, fallen plan. Entire quote = read the blog. :)

When Life Breaks You

Remember, God made each day for us to be happy and successful. (Psalm 118:24-25). He has good things in store for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

Thanks for reading. :)

Wowwwwww!

There are so many encouraging (and tempting!) blogs out there!

Here I am hanging out with Cameron and James while they play a video game and SO many good things have been happening on my computer.

Share in my enthusiasm: :D

1. KAREN KINGSBURY RETWEETED ONE OF MY TWEETS! (yayyyyyyy)
2. I found so many encouraging blogs/blogposts!
3. I looked at SOOO MUCH GOOOOD FOOOOOD!
4. My group and I pretty much figured out our presentation for tomorrow!
5. Found out that Karen Kingsbury will have a new book out in June (approaching stalker status).
6. Contemplated attending a Christian graduate school.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't contain my excitement right now.

Today has just been a really, REALLY good day. :) The office ordered lunch for Mondona's birthday. I got my work done for the most part (just have to study for a final tongiht [eek]). I had a quiet time with God this morning. :)

God hears and answers.

Take Two

I don't know why, but 2 Corinthians 5:17 has really been on my mind recently. I'd hate to be annoyingly redundant, but I have to talk about it again. Maybe this is a selfish post; maybe there is no benefit for anyone reading this, and it only helps me. Regardless, I hope my struggle helps you in some way.

We all go through cycles in our relationship with God. Some months, we'll be on fire--seeking Him with everything we have. Those months are wonderful--you're putting effort in to the relationship and you're able to see the fruit. Bible verses that you read come back to you at the perfect time. Praying comes easily, and it just feels right. Then something happens. Your quiet time/Bible routine gets thrown off and everything changes. You have to remind yourself to pray (when you remember), and reading the Bible is always something that you can do later.

I know this is normal (let me know if it isn't!), but still, every time I fall into this portion of the cycle (a little too often), I feel like the biggest failure. It's a terrible cycle. When I feel like that I just compare myself to my role models and tear myself down.

Sometimes I think that finding God and accepting Jesus will make everything easier. Not in the sense that I won't have any trouble--I know that trouble and hard times are guaranteed down here--but that sinning will be harder to do. Does anyone else think this?

Anyway, if I keep going right now, I'll just begin to ramble. I'll probably continue this tomorrow :)

Prayers and advice are always appreciated!

A New Beginning!

August to May.....10 months?

It has been that long since I posted something (to all of my 4 followers, I actually did start writing....:/), and finally the reminder of this blog was installed into my mind.

I don't know why or if I want to go in the same direction as I was before, but I know that I want to continue this. I want to actually write like me and about what's happening. Not how I think a Christian blog should be written, but a Christian blog from the perspective of my relationship with Christ.

It's really been on my heart that I am the only one stopping myself from growing with God the way that I want to grow. I compare myself to people I view as better, stronger, and more dedicated Christians. Of course, having role models isn't a bad thing. They can definitely help you develop a goal for yourself, but when you're tearing yourself down because you aren't quite measuring up in your eyes--you've developed a pedestal for them. I have definitely done that.

Paul tells us that "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God hasn't only forgiven us, but he's forgotten our old selves (an idea stolen from Karen Kingsbury's Loving).

Thank goodness for her reminder. Yes, I've sinned and disappointed myself and others and God. But as soon as I asked Jesus to take over, I was new. I am no where near the same person. I have Jesus in me and together we'll fight the temptations that Satan is constantly trying to throw at me--mediocrity, lust, pride,  purposelessness, etc.

And now, as I am planning my wedding to James (:D), I want to take hold of that realization and run with it so I can remain faithful and strong in my relationship with God. So that together, James and I can build our marriage on trust, obedience and responsiveness to God.

Prayers are welcomed and appreciated for me and us as we go through this season together!

A day of Miracles...

2 Thessalonians 3:5

"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ."

This verse was, very appropriately, the daily verse on my phone app yesterday. When I read it in the morning, I really liked the reminder, but God truly showed me His love and steadfastness over the course of the day.

I finished my summer school courses. A paper, for HUM 2204, I finished at 1:30 yesterday morning, and I took my final exam for REL 2234 yesterday around 10:00 am. They were not terribly difficult, though I will say that I had absolutely no idea of the answer the last question on the test. When I finished (an hour and a half later), I felt pretty good about it. :)

That was Miracle #1 of the day.

So, to celebrate, my mom and I went to Chik-fil-a for lunch, and then Target for a bit of apartment shopping afterward. We had a little bit of an adventure. :)

On the way to Chik-fil-a, there was a huge POPping noise that came from the back end of our Sante Fe. Thinking we must have rolled over something pretty large, we stopped a little ways down the road to check on things. We saw absolutely no evidence of anything wrong with the car, so we went on with our plans.

We arrived at Chik-fil-a, and enjoyed a nice lunch in the crowded place. The food was fresh, the people (as always) were very friendly, and we had a nice time just the two of us. When we got back in the care afterward to head to Target, it was painfully obvious that something was wrong with the car. We pulled into the closest parking lot and took a peak.

Our rear left tire was as flat as it could possibly get.

My mom and I aren't helpless--we just had never, ever changed a tire before. We found the jack, and the wrench we needed. We eventually found the tire (underneath the car, weird). From there, we had really no idea of what to do.

Mom had just smashed her fingers between the pavement and the tire when someone pulled in and asked if we needed help. We are not the best people at accepting help. We never think that we actually need--we're the 'we'll figure it out' kind of people. Luckily, Will Thomas wasn't having any of that.

That was Miracle #2.

He parked and immediately set to work on our car, explaining things as he went. My mom apologized to the woman who had been in the car with him. She said it was no problem, she had to pay attention as well!

Soon, our car was as good as new. We were back on our way to Target in no time.

That was Miracle #3.

We had a great time at Target.We had a good laugh getting band-aids and Neosporin first (the pharmacist actually opened the band-aids and put the Neosporin on them).

Gemma got some new dog food, I found everything I needed, and we had some valuable Mom-Daughter time. It was a very nice day. :)

Heading back out to the car, we felt the first drop. They steadily increased as we loaded the car, and then the sky opened up climbing in and leaving the parking lot.

On the ~25 minute drive home, on a 45-55mph road, I traveled between 25 and 35 mph because I literally couldn't see a thing.

The rain itself was Miracle #4.

The Great Dismal Swamp is on fire. We can smell the smoke even where we are. Even though the rain didn't put it out, it was definitely a miracle from the Lord.

It's kind of a natural method of cloud seeding. This is how awesome God is. Fires happen, and the smoke and everything that gets in the air provides something for water molecules to group around. Out comes raindrops! What an awesome system God created!

Anyway, we plowed our way through the rain, eventually making it home all in one piece. I drove, and I basically had a white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel 3/4 of the way home. It wasn't until I worried about the possibility of a dog crossing the road and me hitting it did I remember to pray. As soon as I started I felt better. I felt God's soothing touch on my soul and a calm spread over me. I remembered my faith, and put all my worries and fears out for Him to bear.

That was Miracle #5.

God loves us more than anyone on this earth ever could. I can't even begin to understand His capacity for love. He will never abandon us, never be far from our side. He is always there waiting for us to acknowledge Him, and involve Him in our lives. He wants to be there. He stands steadfast in our hearts, and tangibly all around us.

Thank you Lord for all You've blessed me with. Forgive me for all the times when I've held back my life from you, thinking that I could control and handle everything all on my own. Thank you Lord for your love.